“Why didn’t you try it on me?” her husband grumbled.

“I was afraid you wouldn’t be able to describe the sensation precisely enough. You’re not as sensitive as I am.”

“That’s true.”

It was windy outside. When the wind blew, they always heard a lot of people walking toward the mountains and some people singing as they walked. They knew these people weren’t real people, but close enough. Mrs. Yi once again felt that Niulan Mountain was “the land of joy.”

“No one buried here will be lonely.”

“We won’t, either. The problem of finding your successor has been solved, hasn’t it?”

“It’s strange that I don’t worry about it at all. I feel as if I know who it will be.”

“That’s because you have faith in Yun Village.”

When the couple hugged each other and came to the window, the marching crowd had disappeared. It was very quiet except for the thin voices of the newly hatched chicks.

Whenever Aunt Yossi felt a little better, she sat up straight on her cane chair. Recently she’d been having more frequent pain and shorter intervals between these attacks. But she still seized these brief breaks to enjoy life. As long as she didn’t give up the fight, she thought, the pain would be bearable. Every attack of pain was followed by a reprieve, and that in itself was something to be grateful for. She kept a notebook handy and made notes as soon as the interval came. At such times her mind became extremely active and clear. She was the head of the family, and she wanted to sail the boat into a safe harbor before she died.

“My dear niece, I made it again. Am I not going to die? Ha-ha.”

“Maybe,” Mrs. Yi said. “Anything is possible.”

“I don’t intend to live forever, but every time I get through it, I’m very happy, just like someone turning a profit in business. Life is amazing, isn’t it? I can chat with you here again. I am very comfortable. And you brought me some more painkillers.”

They held hands and gazed at each other.

“You—certainly—look—good,” Mrs. Yi said.

“I woke up last night, laughing, because I heard it promising me some more days. I mean Niulan Mountain. Of course, a day is never all happiness, but every day always holds something good. Life is like this, too, isn’t it?” Aunt Yossi said.

“You’re a hero.”

“I’m not special. Most Yun villagers are the same. Crying is not in our nature. Sitting here noting the family affairs and waiting for you to come, I feel as if I’m celebrating a festival. Ha, you’ve brought a merry festival to me! “

At this moment, second daughter-in-law Ginger stuck her head in the window and cried out, “Mom, I’m scared!”

“Don’t be afraid, my dear, everything will be all right,” Mrs. Yossi said kindly.

She turned to Mrs. Yi and said, “If I do not die this time, I will make some dumplings for you. I’ve asked my son to buy glutinous rice. Just now I dreamed of making dumplings.”